ATLAS OF PATHOLOGY

Liver

Secondary biliary cirrhosis

Secondary biliary cirrhosis is produced by obstruction of extrahepatic biliary ducts and is
characterized by regeneration nodules, surrounded by fibrous septa. In these nodules, regenerating
hepatocytes are disorderly disposed. Biliary tract, central vein and the radiar pattern of hepatocytes
are absent. Fibrous septa are important and may present inflammatory infiltrate (lymphocytes, macrophages)
and biliary ducts (damaged, proliferated or distended - bile stasis). These dilated ducts contain inspissated
bile which appear as bile casts or bile thrombi (brown-green, amorphous). Bile retention may be found also
in the parenchyma, as the so called "bile lakes". (H&E, ob. x10)